In the general topics section I asked for some assistance with making barbacoa. As usual, the folks on the ring came through with ideas for me. Now, today, I have begun making my first test run of it!

Using the recipe that I was given by the future bride's mother (about the same as what SoEzzy posted), I went to the local Fiesta Food Mart, which is a KILLER store btw, and found 3.5 pounds of beef cheek meat and some cilantro. I also picked up some corn tortillas that were made this morning according to the sign above them.

The girl at the checkout register looked at me a bit funny and then quizzically asked my what I was making. When I told her barbacoa she REALLY looked at me funny!

The lady in line behind me asked how I was going to do it, she agreed that I should be fine and also said that using "an old iron pot" (my DO) would be perfect for it! That got me a bit pumped!

The recipe I was given was:
3 pounds cheek meat
2 large yellow onions
1 handful of freshly chopped garlic
Some ground cumin (she said enough to cover the "hole" in the palm of your hand)
1 shot of tequila
Saute the onions, garlic, and cumin with a little oil, and then put the meat in the pot and add water. After it comes to a boil pour in the tequila and let it "low boil" until the meat is falling apart.

Here are the onions in the pot with the garlic and some ground cumin.

All of it sauteing in the DO on top of the fish cooker. For a 6-8 hour cook I opted for propane instead of coals, yeah, it's a lazy Saturday!

Cranky I have a tongue in the stew pot right now,Tacos De Lengua plus a D.O Enchilada Pie.Low and slow..I also got pics..Looking good buddy..Cant wait to here how it went down.
It will be a hit..Dont forget come cumin.._________________Lang 84 delux long neck chargrill.
The Lil Squealer (UDS)
My Lab is smarter than Your Honor role student!!
Chicken Throwdown Champ..2010..
Almost the Biggest Liar on the "Ring"

Man oh man, you gonna have all of us a drollin. Wish we could transmit smell over the net. Might be some men folks hurtin. Can't wait to see the results. An idea came to me last night. I know your gonna save the stock and make some killer rice, aren't you?_________________Propane is for frying, not Que!
I AM NOT A LIAR!!!

Thanks for the words of faith gents! I cooked this in the garage on the fish cooker and that place STILL smells great; of course I do still have something simmering out there!

charleso wrote:

Man oh man, you gonna have all of us a drollin. Wish we could transmit smell over the net. Might be some men folks hurtin. Can't wait to see the results. An idea came to me last night. I know your gonna save the stock and make some killer rice, aren't you?

Good old Texas boy like me is NOT gonna waste any kind of stock!

Since I had quite a bit of stock left over from the cooking of the meat I added 2 cups of rice and a BIG handful of some chopped ham we had. It's simmering right now. I'll serve some of it up along with a few tacos later.

Here is a picture of the meat right before I shredded it and removed as much of the fat and silver skin as I could. I started with almost 3.5 pounds of cheeks and ended up with just over 1.5 pounds of barbacoa. This is a labor intensive meal and this meat is BUTT UGLY when you pull it outa the pot!

I failed to take a pic of the "fruits of my labor" but will have a plated shot of some tacos and the rice dish here in a while after the wife gets hungry.

Charlie, Man Oh Man Now that right there is game on. I would love to go toe to toe with that pan and some soft corn torts I will be waiting for the plated pics, and somehow I know you are fixing to make me hungry _________________Always remember slow and steady wins the race.
Hybrid Cooker

The wife wasn't all that impressed with the meat when it was raw and in the cooking phase, but once again she came through for me and at least tried a bite of a taco; then she ate 3 of them! She said she was amazed at how they tasted!

So was I for that matter. The rice came out wonderful and I plan to save some of it for a fishing trip dad and I are going on this weekend.

Here is the rice while still in the DO. I will definitely do this again!

Cranky I have a tongue in the stew pot right now,Tacos De Lengua plus a D.O Enchilada Pie.Low and slow..I also got pics..Looking good buddy..Cant wait to here how it went down.
It will be a hit..Dont forget come cumin..

How did the lengua turn out? I love that as well, but I guarantee the wife would NOT try it if she saw it first. I on the other hand would tear it up!

Charlie, think we could arrange a swap I will email you a plate of roast, smashed taters, and corn if you will email me a few of them tacos Well, it was a thought anyway, but I am afraid someone might find it on the internet and steal both plates BTW, those tacos are crazy good looking. You with them and Whitey talking tongue has got me droolin, can't wait to see his pics._________________Propane is for frying, not Que!
I AM NOT A LIAR!!!

Cranky Buzzard
The Lengua turned out great had an Enchilada casarole,Taco De Lengua's beans and salsa..

There again wasnt any thing left for lunch Which is good..

Your meal turned out looking like it came right off the Taco Wagon..Nice job..

Are You going to do the party for Your Mexican friends?_________________Lang 84 delux long neck chargrill.
The Lil Squealer (UDS)
My Lab is smarter than Your Honor role student!!
Chicken Throwdown Champ..2010..
Almost the Biggest Liar on the "Ring"

Charlie, that meal turned out awesome I know I am going to be trying this recipe very soon. Those tacos plated up are absolutely beautiful. Nicely done my man. _________________Always remember slow and steady wins the race.
Hybrid Cooker